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"What causes fallopian tubes to swell?"

Question

I recently had an exam with my Ob Gyn who said that not only do I have other problems, but my fallopian tubes are also swollen. She prescribed a medication I can take for now, but I still don't understand how my fallopian tubes became swollen in the first place.

Answer

There are several possible causes for a 'swollen' fallopian tube (salpingitis) but the most common cause would be pelvic inflammatory disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a sexually transmitted infection that occurs when bacteria gain access through the cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causes pain, fever, and inflammation along with (often) vaginal discharge or pain with urination. Numerous bacteria are implicated in pelvic inflammatory disease, but two common players are chlamydia and gonorrhea. If your Ob GYN suspected pelvic inflammatory disease, then no doubt they performed some laboratory tests to confirm this and gave you some antibiotics to treat it.
Another possible cause of this finding would be endometriosis, which occurs when cells from the lining of the uterus grow in places outside of the uterus, such as the fallopian tube. This can lead to pain and inflammation that especially fluctuates with the menstrual cycle. Your OB GYN may have given you anti-inflammatory medications or oral contraceptive pills if they suspected this diagnosis.
Regardless of the exact cause, it is important to follow up with your OB GYN doctor and make sure that the inflammation is improving, because inflammation of the fallopian tubes that is long standing and untreated can lead to chronic pelvic pain and infertility.

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Zocdoc Answers is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. Medical professionals who provide responses to health-related questions are intended third party beneficiaries with certain rights under Zocdoc’s Terms of Service.